Imange Majiki (10), from Beda informal settlement in Humansdorp, who was born with cerebral palsy and has been confined to sitting in a plastic laundry basin for the past seven years, has finally received a buggy. This is a type of wheelchair designed for children in need of more postural support.
As previously reported by Kouga Express, Imange’s mother, Sindiswa Majiki, said that some time after her daughter was born, she learnt that she had cerebral palsy, a disorder which affects her movement, muscles, and posture.
Imange received her first wheelchair when she was a year old, from Humansdorp Hospital, but outgrew it two years later.
Since then, Sindiswa said that her daughter has been sitting in a plastic basin while at home, and she has had to carry her on her back when she visits the local hospital for her physiotherapy sessions, since she is unable to walk.
In February this year a Humansdorp-based organisation, Ikhaya Labakhaya, donated a wheelchair for her to make use of, but unfortunately the wheelchair was too big for her.
Ikhaya Labakhaya group members, Xolani Woni and Babalwa Kepe, ward councillor, James Ndzelani, PR councillor, Vuyokazi Batyi, and Jos van den Boogard, from the Organisation for People with Disabilities South Africa (OPD-SA) have been working together to find a suitable wheelchair for Imange.
Woni said that thankfully through the Department of Health, Van den Boogard was able to arrange for a buggy, which is much more suitable for Imange due to her medical condition.
The buggy was handed over to Imange at Humansdorp Hospital on April 5.
“Imange is now able to sit much more comfortably in the buggy than she was in the ordinary wheelchair she had previously,” said Woni.
He said it was important for his organisation to ensure that Imange received the help she needed to live a more comfortable life.
“Councillor Ndzelani and Ikhaya Labakhaya started this project and we had to see it through. Our job is done for now,” said Woni.
Sindiswa said that she was very thankful for the help she received from her ward councillor and the Ikhaya Labakhaya organisation.
She said that she had previously struggled to take Imange with her to church, but during the recent Easter weekend she was happy that her daughter could attend church alongside her.
“This year I did not have to struggle to find someone to help take care of Imange while I was at church, instead I was able to take her with me and she sat comfortably in her buggy throughout the church service,” said Sindiswa.
She said that she is grateful for the help she received but would like to encourage the organisations and individuals that have helped her to do the same for others in need.
Despite the organisation’s good work in the community, Woni said that they had recently learnt that there were individuals asking people for donations on behalf of their organisation without their knowledge.
He said that they have not received any of the alleged “donations” made on their behalf, and is therefore asking the public to ensure that anyone who approaches them using their organisation’s name is indeed a representative from Ikhaya Labakhaya.
“Our organisation consists of a group of people from Kwanomzamo who are trying to help those who are less fortunate. We also do not have much, but we always ensure that what we receive from people in the form of donations is given to the intended individuals,” said Woni.
He further said that before handing over any donation, people should contact him on 078 331 8839 or Babalwa Kepe on 073 243 4209.
